The back-to-school countdown often focuses on buying uniforms, books and stationery, but a paediatrician says one of the most important preparations cannot be bought: ensuring children are emotionally ready to return to the classroom. “Parents should give as much attention to their children’s emotional and social wellbeing as they do to academic preparation,” said Prof Dr Mohamed A Hendaus, head of paediatrics and senior consultant at The View Hospital, in affiliation with Cedars-Sinai, and professor of clinical paediatrics at Qatar University. While the first day of school brings more than a new academic year, he told ‘Gulf Times’ that children must also adjust to new teachers, classmates, expectations and routines, which can trigger excitement as well as anxiety or stress. Dr Hendaus said parents should start by talking openly with their children about how they feel about returning to school, including their excitement about seeing friends, concerns about new teachers or classmates, worries about academic expectations, or experiences of exclusion or bullying. He added that the goal should be to encourage children to talk instead of making them feel as though they are being questioned. Children should know they can discuss their worries without fear of judgment or punishment. According to Dr Hendaus, parents should also pay attention to changes in behaviour, as children may not always be able to say that they are anxious. Persistent changes in sleep, mood, eating habits or school attendance could signal that a child is experiencing emotional difficulties and may need additional support. Bullying is another issue parents should discuss before the school year begins, he added. Children should understand that bullying can involve physical aggression, hurtful language, social exclusion and online harassment. Parents can encourage children to treat classmates with respect, include those who may feel lonely and seek help from a trusted adult if they experience or witness bullying, Dr Hendaus said. Children, he underlined, should also be discouraged from retaliating or responding aggressively. Instead, they should understand that bystanders can play an important role by seeking help or supporting a child who is being bullied. With children’s social lives increasingly extending into the digital world, he said parents should also keep an eye on online interactions and recognise that bullying does not necessarily end when the school day does. The return to school can also provide an opportunity for families to reset technology habits developed during the summer, according to Dr Hendaus. He advised parents to ensure screen use does not displace sleep, homework and reading, physical activity, family meals or face-to-face conversations.Apart from focusing on the number of minutes a child spends on a device, Dr Hendaus said parents should consider what that screen time is replacing. He stressed that families can establish clear rules, including keeping phones and tablets away during homework and family meals, switching off screens before bedtime and keeping devices out of children’s bedrooms at night. Parents should also lead by example, as children are more likely to accept technology limits when the same expectations apply to the whole family, he added. For children who are particularly nervous about returning to school, especially younger children or those starting at a new school, Dr Hendaus said preparation before the first day can help ease anxiety. He said parents can visit the school with their children and familiarise them with important places such as the classroom, bathroom, cafeteria, and playground. Such familiarity can make an unfamiliar environment feel more manageable and give children greater confidence when the school year begins. According to Dr Hendaus, preparing children for school involves more than ensuring they have everything they need in their backpacks. Helping them feel safe, supported, and emotionally prepared can give them a stronger foundation for learning and adapting to the demands of a new school year.
